Developer wins right to build on pub car park

A developer has been given the go-ahead to build homes on part of a pub's car park after an appeal.

North Northamptonshire Council initially blocked plans to use space at behind The Woolcomber on St John's Road, Kettering, for three three-bed properties in June last year.

The Conservative-controlled authority refused the plans because it felt it would not enhance the area and due to concerns over "contrived" access.

However, an appeal by applicant Punch Partnerships was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate, meaning the development can now progress.

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, prospective residents will have to drive past the pub to the very back of its car park in order to access their homes, which will have their own private gardens and a gated residential parking space.

The pub is located in a well-established residential area and surrounded by other homes and a square of local shops.

The council had cited an "unacceptably long bin-drag distance" in its earlier refusal, but the applicant said it would now use a private management company to move bins on collection days on behalf of residents, which the Planning Inspectorate accepted in its report published on 17 January.

The issue of shared car access through the pub's parking area and potential difficulties with manoeuvring into spaces was also dismissed, with the report stating it was "sufficiently safe".

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.